WDNY Local News, Friday, June 16, 2017

Sheriff’s deputies have charged a man from Tioga county with third offense drunk driving after a traffic stop on 390. Reports say 33 year old Jacob Komiarsky was pulled over after deputies spotted him driving erratically and later blew a .11 on a Breathalyzer. Police say the charge against Komiarsky is a felony because of two earlier DWI convictions in 2009. Komiarsky was taken to Livingston County jail on $10,000 bond .

Livingston county sheriff’s deputies have arrested a man who they say went on a crime spree and stole from at least three homes in Nunda, Avon and Wellsville. Sheriff Thomas Dougherty says 44 year old Randy Smith drove off and then fled on foot after a traffic stop on 390 and was later tied to those break ins. Smith was eventually picked up in a stolen vehicle in Wellsville and brought back to Livingston County, where he is being held without bond on a list of charges, including violating his parole from an earlier conviction. The sheriff says more charges could be filed as the investigation continues.

A man from Livonia is facing several charges, including driving with impaired by drug after a traffic stop in the town of Conesus. Reports say 57 year old Frank Imburgia was impaired and had hypodermic needles in his car when he was pulled over on Sliker Hill Rd. After his arrest Imburgia was arraigned and released on his own recognizance

Congressman Chris Collins says it’s time to turn down the political heat in the aftermath of this week’s shooting in Virginia that left a colleague seriously wounded. Collins calls the man who carried out that attack a zealot and says it’s important to remember that in spite of differences America is one country with zero tolerance for violence brought on by politics. Collins has said that he may begin carrying a gun at public appearances and is considering moving his Livingston County office to a more secure place. Collins is outspoken supporter of president Donald Trump.

A new poll suggests Governor Cuomo may be in a good position for re-election. A Marist Poll released this week shows that Cuomo has a 43-percent approval rating among registered voters, which is the highest it’s been in nearly three years. The poll also pitted Cuomo against hypothetical Republican challengers and gave Cuomo a 30-point lead. A majority of New Yorkers still don’t want the Governor to run for president in 2020.

The DEC is hoping to raise awareness about the problem of invasive species. The agency will highlight those problems next month with Invasive Species Awareness Week, July 9 to 15. Commissioner Basil Seggos says non-native species pose a threat to both the environment and the economy. Several groups have already signed on to hold events highlighting how residents can identify and help manage those pests. Seggos says many people don’t realize that common activities like boating, camping, and yard work can spread things like giant hogweed, purple loosestrife, and the submerged aquatic plant Hydrilla. That pesky water weed was recently found on the north shore of Cayuga Lake.